Novel IL-21 Prodrugs and Methods of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are IL-21 prodrugs and methods of making and using thereof for stimulating the immune system, or treating cancer or an infectious disease.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/703,383, filed Jul. 25, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing that has been submitted electronically in ASCII format. The Sequence Listing is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The ASCII copy, created on Jul. 22, 2019, is named 025471_WO003_SL.txt and is 189,683 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to novel IL-21 prodrugs that are activatable at the site of a tumor. Further included in the present disclosure are methods of using the novel prodrugs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is produced by activated CD4⁺ T cells, T-follicular helper cells, and natural killer T (NKT) cells (Spolski and Leonard, Ann Rev Immunol. (2008) 26:57008). IL-21 has been shown to exert pleiotropic effects on the proliferation, differentiation, and cytotoxicity of various classes of lymphoid cells. More recently, IL-21 has been further shown to play a crucial role in the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells into T-helper 17 (TH₁₇) cells, a subset of T cells associated with development of inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases (Korn et al., Nature (2007) 448(7152):484-87; Nurieva et al., Nature (2007) 448(7152):480-83).

The receptor complex of IL-21 is composed of the private chain IL-21Rα and the common chain γC (or Rγ); the common chain is shared by five other cytokines: IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 (Spolski and Leonard, supra). Human IL-21 binds to IL-21Rα with a very high affinity (K_(D)˜70 pM; Zhang et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2003) 300(2):291-6), while binding to IL-21Rγ with a relatively low affinity (K_(D)˜160 μM).

Recombinant IL-21 has been tested in several clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors (Zarkavelis et al., Transl Cancer Res. (2017) 6(Suppl 2):S328-30). In one of the studies, the maximum tolerated dose was established at 200 μg/kg (Schmidt et al., Clin Cancer Res. (2010) 16(21):5312-19). Thus, as with other cytokine therapies, systemic toxicity may severely limit the therapeutic dosage of IL-21. In addition, IL-21 may encounter “PK sinks” in vivo because it binds to its receptor IL-21Rα with a very high affinity (Zhang et al., supra). Consequently, it may be difficult for IL-21 to achieve optimal pharmacokinetics (PK) and exposure in patients. Analogs of IL-21 have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,211,420 and Kan et al., J Biol Chem. (2010) 285(16):12223-31. However, some of the analogs have selectively reduced γC binding affinity and are IL-21 antagonists.

There remains a need to develop IL-21-based cancer therapeutics that are more tumor site-selective and have improved PK and efficacy, while causing fewer severe side effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a IL-21 prodrug comprising a cytokine moiety, a masking moiety, and a carrier moiety, wherein the cytokine moiety is an IL-21 agonist polypeptide, wherein the masking moiety binds to the cytokine moiety and inhibits a biological activity of the cytokine moiety (e.g., prevents the cytokine moiety from binding to its receptor on a target cell, or reduces one or more biological activities of the cytokine moiety, e.g., stimulation of interferon-γ secretion by immune cells such as T cells and NK cells), and wherein the cytokine moiety is fused to the carrier moiety and the masking moiety is fused to the cytokine moiety or to the carrier moiety through a cleavable peptide linker. In some embodiments, the masking moiety comprises an IL-21 receptor alpha (IL-21Rα) extracellular domain (ECD) or functional analog thereof.

In some embodiments, the cytokine moiety is a wildtype human IL-21 or a mutein thereof, for example, the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide such as one comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% (e.g., at least 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent) identical to SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide comprises one or more mutations at position(s) selected from D18, Q19, E109, and K117 (numbering according to SEQ ID NO: 1). In particular embodiments, the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

In some embodiments, the masking moiety of the present prodrug comprises an ECD of human IL-21Rα or a functional analog thereof. In further embodiments, the masking moiety comprises (i) two copies of the ECD of human IL-21Rα or a functional analog thereof fused together through a peptide linker, or (ii) the ECD human IL-2Rβ or a functional analog thereof fused to an ECD of human IL-21Rγ or a functional analog thereof through a peptide linker. In some embodiments, the ECD of human IL-21Rγ or a functional analog thereof comprises SEQ ID NO: 7 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% (e.g., at least 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent) identical to SEQ ID NO: 7. In particular embodiments, the ECD of human IL-21Rα or a functional analog thereof comprises SEQ ID NO: 6 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% (e.g., at least 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent) identical to SEQ ID NO: 6.

In some embodiments, the prodrugs further comprise a second masking moiety that binds to the second cytokine moiety and inhibits a biological activity of the second cytokine moiety, wherein the second masking moiety is fused to the second cytokine moiety or to the carrier moiety through a cleavable peptide linker. In particular embodiments, the second masking moiety is selected from an ECD of IL-2 receptor beta subunit or a functional analog thereof, an ECD of an IL-7 receptor or a functional analog thereof, and an ECD of an IL-9 receptor or a functional analog thereof.

In some embodiments of the present prodrugs, the cytokine moieties are fused to the carrier moieties through a noncleavable peptide linker, such as one selected from SEQ ID NOs: 29-33.

In some embodiments of the present prodrugs, the cleavable peptide linker linking the masking moiety directly or indirectly (e.g., through the cytokine moiety) to the carrier moiety comprises a substrate sequence of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 2, or MMP9. In further embodiments, the cleavable peptide linker comprises substrate sequences of (i) both uPA and MMP2, (ii) both uPA and MMP9, or (iii) uPA, MMP2 and MMP9. In particular embodiments, the cleavable peptide linker comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 11-26. In certain embodiments, the cleavable peptide linker is cleavable by one or more proteases located at a tumor site or its surrounding environment, and the cleavage leads to activation of the prodrug at the tumor site or surrounding environment.

In some embodiments of the present prodrugs, the carrier moiety is a PEG molecule, a fatty acid chain, an albumin (e.g., a human serum albumin) or a fragment thereof, an antibody Fc domain, or an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In particular embodiments, the carrier moiety is an IgG1 antibody Fc domain or an antibody that comprises mutations L234A and L235A (“LALA”) (EU numbering) or an IgG4 Fc domain that comprises mutations S228P/L234A/L235A (PAA). Other mutations which lead to the reduced Fc functionality such as the ones described by Tam et al., Antibodies (2017) 6(12):1-34 can also be introduced when the Fc domain or the Fc of an antibody is used as the carrier moiety.

In particular embodiments, the carrier moiety is an antibody Fc domain or an antibody comprising knobs-into-holes mutations, and wherein the cytokine moieties and the masking moieties are fused to different polypeptide chains of the antibody Fc domain or to the different heavy chains of the antibody. In some embodiments, the cytokine moiety and the masking moiety are fused to the C-termini of the two different polypeptide chains of the Fc domain or to the C-termini of the two different heavy chains of the antibody. In other embodiments, the cytokine moiety and the masking moiety are fused to the N-termini of the two different polypeptide chains of the Fc domain or to the N-termini of the two different heavy chains of the antibody. In certain embodiments, the knobs-into-holes mutations comprise a T366Y “knob” mutation on a polypeptide chain of the Fc domain or a heavy chain of the antibody, and a Y407T “hole” mutation in the other polypeptide of the Fc domain or the other heavy chain of the antibody (EU numbering). In certain embodiments, the knobs-into-holes mutations comprise Y349C and/or T366W mutations in the CH3 domain of the “knob chain” and E356C, T366S, L368A, and/or Y407V mutations in the CH3 domain of the “hole chain” (EU numbering).

In particular embodiments, the prodrug comprises two polypeptide chains whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise SEQ ID NOs: 36 and 38; SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38; SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 41; SEQ ID NOs: 40 and 41; SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 44; SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44; SEQ ID NOs: 45 and 47; or SEQ ID NOs: 46 and 47.

In some embodiments, the carrier moiety is an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to one or more antigens selected from guanyl cyclase C (GCC), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), glycoprotein A33 (gpA33), mucin 1 (MUC1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), delta-like protein 3 (DLL3), delta-like protein 4 (DLL4), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), glypican-3 (GPC3), c-MET, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), Nectin-4, Liv-1, glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB), prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), Trop-2, carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), endothelin B receptor (ETBR), six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1), folate receptor alpha (FR-α), SLIT and NTRK-like protein 6 (SLITRK6), carbonic anhydrase VI (CA6), ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 3 (ENPP3), mesothelin, trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG), CD19, CD20, CD22, CD33, CD40, CD56, CD66e, CD70, CD74, CD79b, CD98, CD123, CD138, CD352, CD47, signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), PD1, Claudin 18.2, Claudin 6, 5T4, BCMA, PD-L1, PD-1, fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPalpha), the melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), and epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EPCAM). In specific embodiments, the carrier moiety is an antibody or fragment thereof which binds to FAPalpha or 5T4.

In particular embodiments, the carrier moiety is an antibody comprising two heavy chain polypeptides whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise SEQ ID NO: 48 and SEQ ID No: 49; and wherein said antibody comprises a light chain polypeptide chain with an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 50 or 51.

In some embodiments, the prodrug further comprises two or three ectodomains of a TNF ligand family member or fragments thereof or two or three ectodomains of 4-1BB ligand or fragments thereof.

In some embodiments, the prodrug further comprises a second effector polypeptide selected from the following: (i) a human IL-2 agonist polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 8 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% (e.g., at least 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent) identical to SEQ ID NO: 8, or (ii) a human IL-7 agonist polypeptide, or (iii) a human IL-9 agonist polypeptide, or (iv) a human IL-15 agonist polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 9 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% (e.g., at least 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent) identical to SEQ ID NO: 9, or (v) a human IL-15 agonist polypeptide and a IL-15 receptor alpha sushi domain, or (vi) a CCL19 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% (e.g., at least 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent) identical to SEQ ID NO: 27.

In other embodiments, the prodrug further comprises a second effector polypeptide such as a second cytokine agonist polypeptide and optionally a second masking moiety that binds this second effector polypeptide. An example of such a prodrug comprises two polypeptide chains whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise SEQ ID NO: 42 and SEQ ID NO: 44. Another example is where the prodrug comprises two polypeptide chains whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise SEQ ID NO: 43 and SEQ ID NO: 44. Another example is where the prodrug comprises two polypeptide chains whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise SEQ ID NO: 45 and SEQ ID NO: 47. Yet another example is where the prodrug comprises two polypeptide chains whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise SEQ ID NO: 46 and SEQ ID NO: 47.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides polynucleotides encoding the present prodrugs, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, and host cells (e.g., mammalian host cells such as CHO, NS0 cells, and 293T cells) comprising the expression vectors. The present disclosure also provides methods for making the present prodrugs, comprising culturing the mammalian host cells under conditions that allow expression of the prodrugs and isolating the prodrugs.

The present disclosure also provides a method of treating a cancer or an infectious disease or stimulating the immune system in a patient (e.g., human patient) in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the IL-21 prodrug, or the pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure. The patient may have, for example, a viral infection (e.g., HIV, HBV, HCV, or HPV infection), or a cancer selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, colorectal cancer, and stomach cancer. Also provided herein are an IL-21 prodrug for use in treating a cancer or an infectious disease or stimulating the immune system in the present method; use of an Il-21 prodrug for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a cancer or an infectious disease or stimulating the immune system in the present method; and articles of manufacture (e.g., kits) comprising one or more dosing units of the present Il-21 prodrug.

Other features, objectives, and advantages of the invention are apparent in the detailed description that follows. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description, while indicating embodiments and aspects of the invention, is given by way of illustration only, not limitation. Various changes and modification within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a heterodimeric IL-21 prodrug wherein the carrier is a Fc domain. The two chains of the Fc domain contain knobs-into-holes mutations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tetrameric IL-21 prodrug wherein the carrier is an antibody containing knobs-into-holes mutations in the Fc domain.

FIG. 3A illustrates a heterodimeric IL-21 prodrug comprising (i) an IL-21 polypeptide and its corresponding mask, and (ii) an IL-2 mutein and its corresponding mask.

FIG. 3B illustrates an IL-21 prodrug comprising (i) an IL-21 polypeptide and its corresponding mask, and (ii) an IL-15 polypeptide, an IL-15Rα sushi domain and the corresponding mask.

FIG. 4 illustrates an IL-21 prodrug with two 4-1BBL ectodomains.

FIGS. 5A-C show the size exclusion chromatography (SEC) HPLC analysis of the IL-21 Prodrug A after purification.

FIG. 6 shows the SDS-PAGE analysis of the IL-21 prodrugs prior to and after activation by the protease matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2). Prodrug A comprises a wild type IL-21 polypeptide, while Prodrug B comprises an IL-21 mutein with the mutations Q19K and E109R.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the results of a cell-based biological activity assay of IL-21 prodrugs prior to and after activation by protease MMP2. FIG. 7A shows the results of the IL-21 Prodrug A, which comprises wild type IL-21. FIG. 7B shows the results of the IL-21 Prodrug B, which comprises an IL-21 mutein.

FIG. 8 shows the results of a cell-based biological activity assay of PD-1-IL-21 Prodrugs prior to and after activation by protease MMP2.

FIG. 9 shows the results of a PD-1 reporter assay, which assesses the ability of the anti-PD-1 antibody of the fusion molecules to block PD-L1-mediated PD-1 signaling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “or,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Reference to “about” a value or parameter herein includes (and describes) variations that are directed to that value or parameter per se. For example, description referring to “about X” includes description of “X.” Additionally, use of “about” preceding any series of numbers includes “about” each of the recited numbers in that series. For example, description referring to “about X, Y, or Z” is intended to describe “about X, about Y, or about Z.”

The term “antigen-binding moiety” refers to a polypeptide or a set of interacting polypeptides that specifically bind to an antigen, and includes, but is not limited to, an antibody (e.g., a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a multi-specific antibody, a dual-specific or bispecific antibody, an anti-idiotypic antibody, or a bifunctional hybrid antibody) or an antigen-binding fragment thereof (e.g., a Fab, a Fab′, a F(ab′)₂, a Fv, a disulfide linked Fv, a scFv, a single domain antibody (dAb), or a diabody, a single chain antibody, and an Fc-containing polypeptide such as an immunoadhesin). In some embodiments, the antibody may be of any heavy chain isotype (e.g., IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, or IgD) or subtype (e.g., IgG₁, IgG₂, IgG₃, or IgG₄). In some embodiments, the antibody may be of any light chain isotype (e.g., kappa or lambda). The antibody may be human, non-human (e.g., from mouse, rat, rabbit, goat, or another non-human animal), chimeric (e.g., with a non-human variable region and a human constant region), or humanized (e.g., with non-human CDRs and human framework and constant regions). In some embodiments, the antibody is a derivatized antibody.

The term “cytokine agonist polypeptide” refers to a wildtype cytokine, or an analog thereof. An analog of a wildtype cytokine has the same biological specificity (e.g., binding to the same receptor(s) and activating the same target cells) as the wildtype cytokine, although the activity level of the analog may be different from that of the wildtype cytokine. The analog may be, for example, a mutein (i.e., mutated polypeptide) of the wildtype cytokine, and may comprise at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine, or at least ten mutations relative to the wildtype cytokine.

The term “cytokine antagonist” or “cytokine mask” refers to a moiety (e.g., a polypeptide) that binds to a cytokine and thereby inhibits the cytokine from binding to its receptor on the surface of a target cell and/or exerting its biological functions while being bound by the antagonist or mask. Examples of a cytokine antagonist or mask include, without limitations, a polypeptide derived from an extracellular domain of the cytokine's natural receptor that makes contact with the cytokine.

The term “effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount of a compound or composition sufficient to treat a specified disorder, condition, or disease (e.g., ameliorate, palliate, lessen, and/or delay one or more of its symptoms). In reference to a disease such as cancer, an effective amount may be an amount sufficient to delay cancer development or progression (e.g., decrease tumor growth rate, and/or delay or prevent tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, or infiltration of cancer cells into peripheral organs), reduce the number of epithelioid cells, cause cancer regression (e.g., shrink or eradicate a tumor), and/or prevent or delay cancer occurrence or recurrence. An effective amount can be administered in one or more doses.

The term “functional analog” refers to a molecule that has the same biological specificity (e.g., binding to the same ligand) and/or activity (e.g., activating or inhibiting a target cell) as a reference molecule.

The term “fused” or “fusion” in reference to two polypeptide sequences refers to the joining of the two polypeptide sequences through a backbone peptide bond. Two polypeptides may be fused directly or through a peptide linker that is one or more amino acids long. A fusion polypeptide may be made by recombinant technology from a coding sequence containing the respective coding sequences for the two fusion partners, with or without a coding sequence for a peptide linker in between. In some embodiments, fusion encompasses chemical conjugation.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” when used to refer to an ingredient in a composition means that the excipient is suitable for administration to a treatment subject, including a human subject, without undue deleterious side effects to the subject and without affecting the biological activity of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

The term “prodrug” refers to a therapeutic molecule that is inactive until having been activated in vivo.

The term “subject” refers to a mammal and includes, but is not limited to, a human, a pet (e.g., a canine or a feline), a farm animal (e.g., cattle or horse), a rodent, or a primate.

As used herein, “treatment” or “treating” is an approach for obtaining beneficial or desired clinical results. Beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: alleviating one or more symptoms resulting from a disease, diminishing the extent of a disease, ameliorating a disease state, stabilizing a disease (e.g., preventing or delaying the worsening or progression of the disease), preventing or delaying the spread (e.g., metastasis) of a disease, preventing or delaying the recurrence of a disease, providing partial or total remission of a disease, decreasing the dose of one or more other medications required to treat a disease, increasing the patient's quality of life, and/or prolonging survival. The methods of the present disclosure contemplate any one or more of these aspects of treatment.

It is to be understood that one, some, or all of the properties of the various embodiments described herein may be combined to form other embodiments of the present invention. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described thereunder.

IL-21 Prodrugs

The present disclosure provides IL-21 prodrugs that are metabolized in vivo to become active IL-21 therapeutics. The IL-21 prodrugs have fewer side effects, better in vivo PK profiles (e.g., longer half-life) and better target specificity, and are more efficacious as compared to prior IL-21 therapeutics. The present IL-21 prodrugs comprise an IL-21 agonist polypeptide (cytokine moiety) linked to a carrier moiety and masked (bound) by an IL-21 antagonist (masking moiety or cytokine mask). The IL-21 antagonist, which may be, for example, an extracellular domain of IL-21Rα, is linked to the cytokine moiety or to the carrier moiety through a cleavable linker (e.g., a cleavable peptide linker). The mask inhibits the cytokine moiety's biological functions while the mask is binding to it. The prodrugs may be activated at a target site (e.g., at a tumor site or the surrounding environment) in the patient by cleavage of the linker and the consequent release of the cytokine mask from the prodrug, exposing the previously masked cytokine moiety and allowing the cytokine moiety to bind to its receptor on a target cell and exert its biological functions on the target cell. In some embodiments, the carriers for the IL-21 prodrugs are antigen-binding moieties, such as antibodies, that bind an antigen at the target site.

In some embodiments, the present IL-21 prodrugs are metabolized to become active at a target site in the body targeted by the carrier. In further embodiments, the carrier in the prodrug is an antibody targeting a tumor antigen such that the IL-21 prodrug is delivered to a tumor site in a patient and is metabolized locally (e.g., inside or in the vicinity of the tumor microenvironment) through cleavage of the linker linking the cytokine mask to the carrier or the cytokine moiety, making the cytokine moiety available to interact with its receptor on a target cell and stimulating the target immune cells locally.

A. Cytokine Moieties of the Prodrugs

An IL-21 prodrug may comprise an IL-21 agonist polypeptide (cytokine moiety), a carrier (carrier moiety), and an IL-21 antagonist (masking moiety), wherein the IL-21 agonist polypeptide is fused to the carrier directly or through a linker (e.g., cleavable or noncleavable peptide linker), and the IL-21 antagonist is linked to the IL-21 agonist polypeptide or to the carrier through a cleavable peptide linker. In the present IL-21 prodrugs, the IL-21 agonist polypeptide may be a wildtype IL-21 polypeptide such as a wildtype human IL-21 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1), or an IL-21 mutein such as one derived from a human IL-21, e.g., one with an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2-5. The IL-21 mutein may have significantly reduced affinity for IL-21Rα or IL-21RαRγ, as compared to wild type IL-21. In some embodiments, the IL-21 mutein has a binding affinity for the high-affinity IL-2Rα that is 5 times, 10 times, 20 times, 50 times, 100 times, 300 times, 500 times, 1,000 times, or 10,000 times lower compared to wild type IL-21. Unless otherwise indicated, all residue numbers in IL-21 and IL-21 muteins described herein are in accordance with the numbering in SEQ ID NO: 1.

B. Masking Moieties of the IL-21 Prodrugs

The IL-21 antagonist, i.e., the masking moiety, in the present prodrug may comprise a peptide or an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to the cytokine moiety in the prodrug, masking the cytokine moiety and inhibiting its biological functions.

By way of example, IL-21 antagonists may comprise peptides and antibodies that bind IL-21 and interfere with the binding of the IL-21 to its receptors, leading to the reduced biological activities of the IL-21 moiety while masked. In some embodiments, the IL-21 antagonist comprises an IL-21Rα or IL-21Rγ extracellular domain or its functional analog such as one derived from human IL-21Rα or human IL-21Rγ (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 6 or 7). In some embodiments, the IL-21 antagonist comprises a peptide identified from the screening of a peptide library. In some embodiments, the IL-21 antagonist comprises an antibody or fragment thereof that blocks the binding of IL-21 or IL-21 muteins to an IL-21 receptor.

In some embodiments, the IL-21 antagonist in the present prodrug is an IL-21Rα extracellular domain (ECD). The present inventors have surprisingly found that, when the IL-21Rα ECD was cleaved by a protease, the cell-based activity of the IL-21 agonist polypeptide was nearly fully recovered, despite the high binding affinity of the IL-21 agonist polypeptide for the IL-21Rα ECD.

C. Carrier Moieties of the Prodrugs

The carrier moieties of the present IL-21 prodrugs may be an antigen-binding moiety, or a moiety that is not an antigen-binding moiety. The carrier moiety may improve the PK profiles such as serum half-life of the cytokine agonist polypeptide, and may also target the cytokine agonist polypeptide to a target site in the body, such as a tumor site.

1. Antigen-Binding Carrier Moieties

The carrier moiety may be an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, or an immunoadhesin. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety is a full-length antibody with two heavy chains and two light chains, a Fab fragment, a Fab′ fragment, a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a Fv fragment, a disulfide linked Fv fragment, a single domain antibody, a nanobody, or a single-chain variable fragment (scFv). In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety is a bispecific antigen-binding moiety and can bind to two different antigens or two different epitopes on the same antigen. The antigen-binding moiety may provide additional and potentially synergetic therapeutic efficacy to the cytokine agonist polypeptide.

The IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its mask may be fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the light chain(s) and/or heavy chain(s) of the antigen-binding moiety. By way of example, the IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its mask may be fused to the antibody heavy chain or an antigen-binding fragment thereof or to the antibody light chain or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In some embodiments, one terminus of the IL-21 agonist polypeptide is fused to the C-terminus of one or both of the heavy chains of an antibody, and the IL-21 mask is fused to the other terminus of the IL-21 agonist polypeptide through a cleavable peptide linker. In some embodiments, the IL-21 agonist polypeptide is fused to the C-terminus of one of the heavy chains of an antibody, and the IL-21 mask is fused to the C-terminus of the other heavy chain of the antibody through a cleavable peptide linker, wherein the two heavy chains contain mutations that allow the specific pairing of the two different heavy chains.

Strategies of forming heterodimers are well known (see, e.g., Spies et al., Mol Imm. (2015) 67(2)(A):95-106). For example, the two heavy chain polypeptides in the prodrug may form stable heterodimers through “knobs-into-holes” mutations. “Knobs-into-holes” mutations are made to promote the formation of the heterodimers of the antibody heavy chains and are commonly used to make bispecific antibodies (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,642,745). For example, the Fc domain of the antibody may comprise a T366W mutation in the CH3 domain of the “knob chain” and T366S, L368A, and/or Y407V mutations in the CH3 domain of the “hole chain.” An additional interchain disulfide bridge between the CH3 domains can also be used, e.g., by introducing a Y349C mutation into the CH3 domain of the “knobs chain” and an E356C or S354C mutation into the CH3 domain of the “hole chain” (see, e.g., Merchant et al., Nature Biotech (1998) 16:677-81). In other embodiments, the antibody moiety may comprise Y349C and/or T366W mutations in one of the two CH3 domains, and E356C, T366S, L368A, and/or Y407V mutations in the other CH3 domain. In certain embodiments, the antibody moiety may comprise Y349C and/or T366W mutations in one of the two CH3 domains, and S354C (or E356C), T366S, L368A, and/or Y407V mutations in the other CH3 domain, with the additional Y349C mutation in one CH3 domain and the additional E356C or S354C mutation in the other CH3 domain, forming an interchain disulfide bridge (numbering always according to EU index of Kabat; Kabat et al., “Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,” 5th ed., Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)). Other knobs-into-holes technologies, such as those described in EP1870459A1, can be used alternatively or additionally. Thus, another example of knobs-into-holes mutations for an antibody moiety is having R409D/K370E mutations in the CH3 domain of the “knob chain” and D399K/E357K mutations in the CH3 domain of the “hole chain” (EU numbering).

In some embodiments, the antibody moiety in the prodrug comprises L234A and L235A (“LALA”) mutations in its Fc domain. The LALA mutations eliminate complement binding and fixation as well as Fcγ dependent ADCC (see, e.g., Hezareh et al. J. Virol. (2001) 75(24):12161-8). In further embodiments, the LALA mutations are present in the antibody moiety in addition to the knobs-into-holes mutations.

In some embodiments, the antibody moiety comprises the M252Y/S254T/T256E (“YTE”) mutations in the Fc domain. The YTE mutations allow the simultaneous modulation of serum half-life, tissue distribution and activity of IgG₁ (see Dall'Acqua et al., J Biol Chem. (2006) 281:23514-24; and Robbie et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother. (2013) 57(12):6147-53). In further embodiments, the YTE mutations are present in the antibody moiety in addition to the knobs-into-holes mutations. In particular embodiments, the antibody moiety has YTE, LALA and knobs-into-holes mutations or any combination thereof.

The antigen-binding moiety may bind to an antigen on the surface of a cell, such as an immune cell, for example, T cells, NK cells, and macrophages, or bind to a cytokine. For example, the antigen-binding moiety may bind to PD-1, LAG-3, TIM-3, TIGIT, CTLA-4, or TGF-beta and may be an antibody. The antibody may have the ability to activate the immune cell and enhance its anti-cancer activity.

The antigen-binding moiety may bind to an antigen on the surface of a tumor cell. For example, the antigen-binding moiety may bind to FAP alpha, 5T4, Trop-2, PD-L1, HER-2, EGFR, Claudin 18.2, DLL-3, GCP3, or carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and may be an antibody. The antibody may or may not have ADCC activity. The antibody may also be further conjugated to a cytotoxic drug.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to guanyl cyclase C (GCC), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), glycoprotein A33 (gpA33), mucin 1 (MUC1), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), delta-like protein 3 (DLL3), delta-like protein 4 (DLL4), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), glypican-3 (GPC3), c-MET, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), Nectin-4, Liv-1, glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB), prostates-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), Trop-2, carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), endothelin B receptor (ETBR), six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1), folate receptor alpha (FR-α), SLIT and NTRK-like protein 6 (SLITRK6), carbonic anhydrase VI (CA6), ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 3 (ENPP3), mesothelin, trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG), CD19, CD20, CD22, CD33, CD40, CD56, CD66e, CD70, CD74, CD79b, CD98, CD123, CD138, CD352, CD47, signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), Claudin 18.2, Claudin 6, BCMA, or EPCAM. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain of DLL3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to a Delta/Serrate/Lag2 (DSL)-like domain of DLL3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to an epitope located after the 374th amino acid of GPC3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to a heparin sulfate glycan of GPC3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to Claudin 18.2 and does not bind to Claudin 18.1. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to Claudin 18.1 with at least 10 times weaker binding affinity than to Claudin 18.2.

Exemplary antigen-binding moieties include trastuzumab, rituximab, brentuximab, cetuximab, panitumumab, GC33 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-EGFR antibody mAb806 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-dPNAG antibody F598, and antigen-binding fragments thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to trastuzumab, rituximab, brentuximab, cetuximab, or panitumumab, GC33 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-EGFR antibody mAb806 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-dPNAG antibody F598, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety has an antibody heavy chain with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to the antibody heavy chain of trastuzumab, rituximab, brentuximab, cetuximab, panitumumab, GC33 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-EGFR antibody mAb806 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-dPNAG antibody F598, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety has an antibody light chain with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to the antibody light chain of trastuzumab, rituximab, brentuximab, cetuximab, panitumumab, GC33 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-EGFR antibody mAb806 (or a humanized version thereof), anti-dPNAG antibody F598, or a fragment thereof. The antigen-binding moiety is fused to an IL-2 agonist polypeptide. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety comprises the six complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of trastuzumab, rituximab, brentuximab, cetuximab, panitumumab, GC33, anti-EGFR antibody mAb806, or anti-dPNAG antibody F598.

A number of CDR delineations are known in the art and are encompassed herein. A person of skill in the art can readily determine a CDR for a given delineation based on the sequence of the heavy or light chain variable region. The “Kabat” CDRs are based on sequence variability and are the most commonly used (Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)). “Chothia” CDRs refer to the location of the structural loops (Chothia & Lesk, J. Mol. Biol. (1987) 196:901-917). The “AbM” CDRs represent a compromise between the Kabat CDRs and Chothia structural loops, and are used by Oxford Molecular's AbM antibody modeling software. The “Contact” CDRs are based on an analysis of the available complex crystal structures. The residues from each of these CDRs are noted below in Table 1, in reference to common antibody numbering schemes. Unless otherwise specified herein, amino acid numbers in antibodies refer to the Kabat numbering scheme as described in Kabat et al., supra, including when CDR delineations are made in reference to Kabat, Chothia, AbM, or Contact schemes. Using this numbering system, the actual linear amino acid sequence may contain fewer or additional amino acids corresponding to a shortening of, or insertion into, a framework region (FR) or CDR of the variable domain. For example, a heavy chain variable domain may include a single amino acid insert (residue 52a according to Kabat) after residue 52 of H2 and inserted residues (e.g., residues 82a, 82b, and 82c, etc. according to Kabat) after heavy chain FR residue 82. The Kabat numbering of residues may be determined for a given antibody by alignment at regions of homology of the sequence of the antibody with a “standard” Kabat numbered sequence.

TABLE 1 CDR Delineations According to Various Schemes CDR Kabat AbM Chothia Contact VL-CDR1 L24-L34 L24-L34 L26-L32 L30-L36 VL-CDR2 L50-L56 L50-L56 L50-L52 L46-L55 VL-CDR3 L89-L97 L89-L97 L91-L96 L89-L96 VH-CDR1  H31-H35B  H26-H35B H26-H32  H30-H35B (Kabat nos.) VH-CDR1 H31-H35 H26-H35 H26-H32 H30-H35 (Chothia nos.) VH-CDR2 H50-H65 H50-H58 H53-H55 H47-H58 VH-CDR3  H95-H102  H95-H102  H95-H101  H93-H101

In some embodiments, the CDRs are “extended CDRs,” and encompass a region that begins or terminates according to a different scheme. For example, an extended CDR can be as follows: L24-L36, L26-L34, or L26-L36 (VL-CDR1); L46-L52, L46-L56, or L50-L55 (VL-CDR2); L91-L97 (VL-CDR3); H47-H55, H47-H65, H50-H55, H53-H58, or H53-H65 (VH-CDR2); and/or H93-H102 (VH-CDR3).

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to HER2, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 52, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 53, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 52, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 53.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to CD20, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 54, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 55, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 54, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 55.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to CD30, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 56, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 57, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 56, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 57.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to EGFR, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 58 or 60, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 59 or 61, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NOs: 58 and 59, or CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NOs: 60 and 61.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to c-MET, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 62, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 63, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 62, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 63.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to GPC3, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 64, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 65, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 64, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 65.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to Claudin 18.2, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 66, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 67, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 66, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 67.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to FAP alpha, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 80 or 81, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 82, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 80 or 81, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 82.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to FAP alpha, and comprises a light chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 83, and a heavy chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 84. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 84, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 84.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to PDL1, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 89, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 90, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 89, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 90.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to 5T4, and comprises a light chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 87 or 88, and a heavy chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 85 or 86, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 87 or 88, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 85 or 86.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to Trop-2, and comprises a light chain variable region comprising a CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of KASQDVSIAVA (SEQ ID NO: 68), a CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SASYRYT (SEQ ID NO: 69), and a CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of QQHYITPLT (SEQ ID NO: 70); and a heavy chain variable region comprising a CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of NYGMN (SEQ ID NO: 71), a CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of WINTYTGEPTYTDDFKG (SEQ ID NO: 72), and a CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of GGFGSSYWYFDV (SEQ ID NO: 73).

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to mesothelin, and comprises light chain variable region comprising a CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SASSSVSYMH (SEQ ID NO: 74), a CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of DTSKLAS (SEQ ID NO: 75), and a CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of QQWSGYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 76); and a heavy chain variable region comprising a CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of GYTMN (SEQ ID NO:77), a CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of LITPYNGASSYNQKFRG (SEQ ID NO: 78), and a CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of GGYDGRGFDY (SEQ ID NO: 79).

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to PD-1, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 50, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 91, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 50, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 91.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to PD-1, and comprises a light chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 92, or a fragment thereof, and a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 93, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding domain comprises CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 92, and CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 93.

In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety comprises one, two or three antigen-binding domains. For example, the antigen-binding moiety is bispecific and binds to two different antigens selected from the group consisting of HER2, HER3, EGFR, 5T4, FAP alpha, Trop-2, GPC3, VEGFR2, Claudin 18.2 and PD-L1. In some embodiments, said bispecific antigen-binding moiety binds to two different epitopes of HER2.

2. Other Carrier Moieties

Other non-antigen-binding carrier moieties may be used for the present prodrugs. For example, an antibody Fc domain (e.g., a human IgG₁, IgG₂, IgG₃, or IgG₄ Fc), a polymer (e.g., PEG), an albumin (e.g., a human albumin) or a fragment thereof, or a nanoparticle can be used.

By way of example, the IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its antagonist may be fused to an antibody Fc domain, forming an Fc fusion protein. In some embodiments, the IL-21 agonist polypeptide is fused (directly or through a peptide linker) to the C-terminus or N-terminus of one of the Fc domain polypeptide chains, and the cytokine mask is fused to the corresponding C-terminus or N-terminus of the other Fc domain polypeptide chain through a cleavable peptide linker, wherein the two Fc domain polypeptide chains contain mutations that allow the specific pairing of the two different Fc chains. In some embodiments, the Fc domain comprises the holes-into-holes mutations described above. In further embodiments, the Fc domain may comprise also the YTE and/or LALA mutations described above.

The carrier moiety of the prodrug may comprise an albumin (e.g., human serum albumin) or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the carrier moiety comprises an albumin fragment (e.g., a human serum albumin fragment) that is about 10 or more, 20 or more, 30 or more 40 or more, 50 or more, 60 or more, 70 or more, 80 or more, 90 or more, 100 or more, 120 or more, 140 or more, 160 or more, 180 or more, 200 or more, 250 or more, 300 or more, 350 or more, 400 or more, 450 or more, 500 or more, or 550 or more amino acids in length. In some embodiments, the albumin fragment is between about 10 amino acids and about 584 amino acids in length (such as between about 10 and about 20, about 20 and about 40, about 40 and about 80, about 80 and about 160, about 160 and about 250, about 250 and about 350, about 350 and about 450, or about 450 and about 550 amino acids in length). In some embodiments, the albumin fragment includes the Sudlow I domain or a fragment thereof, or the Sudlow II domain or the fragment thereof.

D. Linker Components of the Prodrugs

The IL-21 agonist polypeptide may be fused to the carrier moiety with or without a peptide linker. The peptide linker may be noncleavable. In some embodiments, the peptide linker is selected from SEQ ID NOs: 29-33. In particular embodiments, the peptide linker comprise the amino acid sequence GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 31).

The IL-21 mask may be fused to the cytokine moiety or to the carrier through a cleavable linker. The cleavable linker may contain one or more (e.g., two or three) cleavable moieties (CM). Each CM may be a substrate for an enzyme or protease selected from legumain, plasmin, TMPRSS-3/4, MMP2, MMP9, MT1-MMP, cathepsin, caspase, human neutrophil elastase, beta-secretase, uPA, and PSA. Examples of cleavable linkers include, without limitation, those comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 11-26. By way of example, a cleavable peptide linker is used to link the IL-21Rγ ECD to an IL-21 Rα-subunit ECD. Preferably, there is a cleavable peptide linker which links one IL-21Rα-subunit ECD to the other α-subunit ECD to form a dimer.

E. IL-21 Prodrugs with an Additional Effector Polypeptide

In specific embodiments, the IL-21 prodrugs further comprise a second effector polypeptide such as a second cytokine moiety. In such cases, the prodrugs may further comprise a second masking moiety that binds to and inhibits a biological activity of the second effector polypeptide.

By way of example, the IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its mask may be fused to separate Fc chains at one end of the Fc domain, while the second cytokine moiety and its mask may be fused to separate Fc chains at the other end of the Fc domain, wherein the masks are fused to the Fc chains through cleavable peptide linkers. In certain embodiments, the two Fc domain polypeptide chains contain mutations that allow the specific pairing of the two different Fc chains.

Examples of prodrugs comprising two effector polypeptides and two masking moieties include those comprising two polypeptide chains whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise (i) SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 44; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 45 and 47; or (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 46 and 47. The exemplary structure of an IL-21 prodrug that comprises an IL-2 agonist polypeptide (second effector polypeptide) and its corresponding mask is illustrated in FIG. 3A. The exemplary structure of an IL-21 prodrug that comprises an IL-15 agonist polypeptide, the sushi domain and its corresponding mask is illustrated in FIG. 3B.

In some embodiments, the IL-21 prodrugs further comprise one or more (e.g., two or three) copies of the ectodomains of the ligand of a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member. In some embodiments, the TNF superfamily member is 4-1BB. The structure of an exemplary IL-21 prodrug further comprising two copies of a 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) ectodomain is illustrated in FIG. 4. The carrier of the IL-21 prodrug may be an antibody that binds to an antigen expressed in a tumor, for example, FAP or 5T4.

Specific, nonlimiting examples of IL-21 agonist polypeptides, cytokine masks, carriers, peptide linkers, and prodrugs are shown in the Sequences section below. Further, the prodrugs of the present disclosure may be made by well-known recombinant technology. For examples, one or more expression vectors comprising the coding sequences for the polypeptide chains of the prodrugs may be transfected into mammalian host cells (e.g., CHO cells), and the cells are cultured under conditions that allow the expression of the coding sequences and the assembly of the expressed polypeptides into the prodrug complex. In order for the prodrug to remain inactive, the host cells that express no or little uPA, MMP2 and/or MMP9 may be used. In some embodiments, the host cells may contain null mutations (knockout) of the genes that encode these proteases.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the prodrugs and muteins (i.e., the active pharmaceutical ingredient or API) of the present disclosure may be prepared by mixing the API having the desired degree of purity with one or more optional pharmaceutically acceptable excipients (see, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th Edition., Osol, A. Ed. (1980)) in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients (or carriers) are generally nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include, but are not limited to: buffers containing, for example, phosphate, citrate, succinate, histidine, acetate, or another inorganic or organic acid or salt thereof; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including sucrose, glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-ionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Buffers are used to control the pH in a range which optimizes the therapeutic effectiveness, especially if stability is pH dependent. Buffers are preferably present at concentrations ranging from about 50 mM to about 250 mM. Suitable buffering agents for use with the present invention include both organic and inorganic acids and salts thereof, such as citrate, phosphate, succinate, tartrate, fumarate, gluconate, oxalate, lactate, and acetate. Additionally, buffers may comprise histidine and trimethylamine salts such as Tris.

Preservatives are added to retard microbial growth, and are typically present in a range from 0.2%-1.0% (w/v). Suitable preservatives for use with the present invention include octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium halides (e.g., chloride, bromide, iodide), benzethonium chloride; thimerosal, phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol, 3-pentanol, and m-cresol.

Tonicity agents, sometimes known as “stabilizers” are present to adjust or maintain the tonicity of liquid in a composition. When used with large, charged biomolecules such as proteins and antibodies, they are often termed “stabilizers” because they can interact with the charged groups of the amino acid side chains, thereby lessening the potential for inter- and intra-molecular interactions. Tonicity agents can be present in any amount between 0.1% to 25% by weight, or more preferably between 1% to 5% by weight, taking into account the relative amounts of the other ingredients. Preferred tonicity agents include polyhydric sugar alcohols, preferably trihydric or higher sugar alcohols, such as glycerin, erythritol, arabitol, xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol.

Non-ionic surfactants or detergents (also known as “wetting agents”) are present to help solubilize the therapeutic agent as well as to protect the therapeutic protein against agitation-induced aggregation, which also permits the formulation to be exposed to shear surface stress without causing denaturation of the active therapeutic protein or antibody. Non-ionic surfactants are present in a range of about 0.05 mg/ml to about 1.0 mg/ml, preferably about 0.07 mg/ml to about 0.2 mg/ml.

Suitable non-ionic surfactants include polysorbates (20, 40, 60, 65, 80, etc.), polyoxamers (184, 188, etc.), PLURONIC® polyols, TRITON®, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoethers (TWEEN®-20, TWEEN®-80, etc.), lauromacrogol 400, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 10, 50 and 60, glycerol monostearate, sucrose fatty acid ester, methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. Anionic detergents that can be used include sodium lauryl sulfate, dioctyle sodium sulfosuccinate and dioctyl sodium sulfonate. Cationic detergents include benzalkonium chloride or benzethonium chloride.

The choice of pharmaceutical carrier, excipient or diluent may be selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice. Pharmaceutical compositions may additionally comprise any suitable binder(s), lubricant(s), suspending agent(s), coating agent(s) or solubilizing agent(s).

There may be different composition/formulation requirements dependent on the different delivery systems. By way of example, pharmaceutical compositions useful in the present invention may be formulated to be administered using a mini-pump or by a mucosal route, for example, as a nasal spray or aerosol for inhalation or ingestible solution, or parenterally in which the composition is formulated by an injectable form, for delivery, by, for example, an intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous route.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure is a lyophilized protein formulation. In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may be an aqueous liquid formulation.

Methods of Treatment

The IL-21 prodrug can be used to treat a disease, depending on the antigen bound by the antigen-binding domain. In some embodiments, the IL-21 prodrug is used to treat cancer. In some embodiments, the IL-21 prodrug is used to treat an infection.

In some embodiments, a method of treating a disease (such as cancer, a parasitic infection, a viral infection, or a bacterial infection) in a subject comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of an IL-21 prodrug.

In some embodiments, the cancer is a solid cancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is a blood cancer or a solid tumor. Exemplary cancers that may be treated include, but are not limited to, leukemia, lymphoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, urinary tract cancer, cervical cancer, brain cancer, head and neck cancer, skin cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer such as non-small cell lung cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.

In some embodiments, the IL-21 prodrug is used to treat a viral infection. In some embodiments, the virus causing the viral infection is hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or human papilloma virus (HPV). In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to a viral antigen.

In some embodiments, the IL-21 prodrug is used to treat a bacterial infection such as sepsis. In some embodiments, the bacteria causing the bacterial infection is drug-resistant bacteria. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding moiety binds to a bacterial antigen.

Generally, dosages and routes of administration of the present pharmaceutical compositions are determined according to the size and conditions of the subject, according to standard pharmaceutical practice. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to a subject through any route, including orally, transdermally, by inhalation, intravenously, intra-arterially, intramuscularly, direct application to a wound site, application to a surgical site, intraperitoneally, by suppository, subcutaneously, intradermally, transcutaneously, by nebulization, intrapleurally, intraventricularly, intra-articularly, intraocularly, intracranially, or intraspinally. In some embodiments, the composition is administered to a subject intravenously.

In some embodiments, the dosage of the pharmaceutical composition is a single dose or a repeated dose. In some embodiments, the doses are given to a subject once per day, twice per day, three times per day, or four or more times per day. In some embodiments, about 1 or more (such as about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 or more) doses are given in a week. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered weekly, once every 2 weeks, once every 3 weeks, once every 4 weeks, weekly for two weeks out of 3 weeks, or weekly for 3 weeks out of 4 weeks. In some embodiments, multiple doses are given over the course of days, weeks, months, or years. In some embodiments, a course of treatment is about 1 or more doses (such as about 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 or more doses).

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary methods and materials are described below, although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. Generally, nomenclature used in connection with, and techniques of, cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, and protein and nucleic acid chemistry and hybridization described herein are those well-known and commonly used in the art. Enzymatic reactions and purification techniques are performed according to manufacturer's specifications, as commonly accomplished in the art or as described herein. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Throughout this specification and embodiments, the words “have” and “comprise,” or variations such as “has,” “having,” “comprises,” or “comprising,” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. It is understood that aspects and variations of the invention described herein include “consisting” and/or “consisting essentially of” aspects and variations. All publications and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although a number of documents are cited herein, this citation does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Exemplary Embodiments

Further particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described as follows. These embodiments are intended to illustrate the compositions and methods described in the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

-   1. A Prodrug of IL-21 which comprises an IL-21 agonist polypeptide     (A), a masking moiety (MM), a carrier (C), and at least one     cleavable peptide linker; wherein:     -   a) said IL-21 agonist polypeptide (A) has an amino acid sequence         at least 95% identical to that of SEQ ID NO: 1;     -   b) said masking moiety (MM) is selected from IL-21 receptor         extracellular domain, its analog, and a fusion protein of the         IL-21 receptor extracellular domain and the extracellular domain         of the gamma chain;     -   c) said carrier is selected from an albumin, an albumin         fragment, a Fc, and an antibody; and     -   d) said cleavable peptide linker links the said masking         moiety (MM) to the carrier or to the IL-21 agonist polypeptide. -   2. The prodrug of embodiment 1, wherein said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide (A) is human IL-21 with amino acid sequence of SEQ ID     NO: 1 or its analog, wherein said analog contains one or more     mutations at D18, E109, K117, and or K119; and wherein said     mutations are referred to according to the numbering of the human     IL-21 with amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. -   3. The prodrug of embodiment 1, wherein said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide (A) has an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:     2-5. -   4. The prodrug of embodiments 1-3, wherein IL-21 receptor     extracellular domain has an amino acid sequence at least 95%, at     least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100%     identical as that of SEQ ID NO: 6; and wherein said gamma chain has     an amino acid as shown in SEQ ID NO: 7. -   5. The prodrug of embodiments 1-4, wherein said cleavable peptide     linker has an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 11-26. -   6. The prodrug of embodiments 1-5, wherein said carrier (C) is an     albumin or a fragment thereof. -   7. The prodrug of embodiments 1-5, wherein said carrier(C) is an Fc     fragment. -   8. The prodrug of embodiment 7, wherein said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide is fused to the C-terminal of one Fc fragment,     optionally through a peptide linker, and said masking moiety (MM) is     fused to the C-terminal of the second Fc fragment through a     cleavable peptide linker; and wherein the Fc-fusion proteins form a     heterodimer through “knob-into-hole” mutations. -   9. The prodrug of embodiment 7, wherein said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide is fused to the N-terminal of one Fc fragment,     optionally through a peptide linker, and said masking moiety (MM) is     fused to the N-terminal of the second Fc fragment through a     cleavable peptide linker; and wherein above said two Fc-fusion     proteins form a heterodimer through “knob-into-hole” mutations. -   10. The prodrug of embodiments 1-6, wherein said carrier(C) is an     antibody. -   11. The prodrug of embodiment 10, wherein said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide is fused to the N-terminal of the heavy chains of said     antibody, optionally through a peptide linker, and said masking     moiety (MM) is fused to the N-terminal of the light chain through a     cleavable peptide linker. -   12. The prodrug of embodiment 10, wherein said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide is fused to the C-terminal of one of the heavy chains of     said antibody, optionally through a peptide linker, and said masking     moiety (MM) is fused to the C-terminal of the 2^(nd) heavy chain     through a cleavable peptide linker; and wherein above the heavy     chain-fusion proteins form a heterodimer through “knob-into-hole”     mutations. -   13. The prodrug of embodiment 10, wherein said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide is fused to the N-terminal of one of the heavy chains of     said antibody, optionally through a peptide linker, and said masking     moiety (MM) is fused to the N-terminal of the 2^(nd) heavy chain     through a cleavable peptide linker; and wherein above said two heavy     chain-fusion proteins form a heterodimer through “knob-into-hole”     mutations. -   14. The prodrug of embodiment 10, wherein one said IL-21 agonist     polypeptide is fused to each of the C-terminals of the heavy chains     of said antibody, optionally through a peptide linker, and said     masking moiety (MM) is fused to the C-terminal of the IL-21 agonist     polypeptide through a cleavable peptide linker. -   15. The prodrug of embodiments 10-14, wherein said antibody binds to     one or more antigens on a cancer cell. -   16. The prodrug of embodiments 10-14, wherein said antibody is an     antibody against human PD-L1 or CD47. -   17. The prodrug of embodiments 10-14, wherein said antibody is     selected from anti-CEA antibody PR1A3, humanized PR1A3, and     anti-FAP-alpha antibody sibrotuzumab (BIBH1). -   18. The prodrug of embodiments 10-14, wherein said antibody binds to     one or more antigen selected from Guanyl cyclase C (GCC),     carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), glycoprotein A33 (gpA33), mucin     1 (MUC1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), insulin-like growth factor     1 receptor (IGF1-R), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2     (HER2), human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), delta-like     protein 3 (DLL3), delta-like protein 4 (DLL4), epidermal growth     factor receptor (EGFR), glypican-3 (GPC3), c-MET, vascular     endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), vascular endothelial     growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), Nectin-4, Liv-1, glycoprotein NMB     (GPNMB), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), Trop-2, carbonic     anhydrase IX (CA9), endothelin B receptor (ETBR), six transmembrane     epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1), folate receptor alpha     (FR-α), SLIT and NTRK-like protein 6 (SLITRK6), carbonic anhydrase     VI (CA6), ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family     member 3 (ENPP3), mesothelin, trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG), CD19,     CD20, CD22, CD33, CD40, CD56, CD66e, CD70, CD74, CD79b, CD98, CD123,     CD138, CD352, CD47, signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), PD1,     Claudin 18.2, Claudin 6, and FAP-alpha., BCMA, and EPCAM, CD3,     TGF-beta, LAG3, TIM3, TIGIT, and CTLA-4. -   19. The prodrug of embodiments 10-18, wherein it further comprises a     CCL19 polypeptide with an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical     as that of SEQ ID NO: 27. -   20. The prodrug of embodiments 1-19, wherein said cleavable peptide     linker is cleavable by a protease or proteases found at a tumor site     or its surrounding environment. -   21. Prodrug of embodiments 1-19, wherein said prodrug is activated     at the site of a tumor. -   22. The prodrug of embodiment 16, wherein said antibody binds to     PD-L1; wherein said PD-L1 antibody is selected from atezolizumab,     durvalumab, avelumab. -   23. Prodrug of embodiment 10-14, wherein said antibody binds to     PD-1; wherein said anti-PD-1 antibody is selected from Nivolumab and     Pembrolizumab. -   24. A prodrug of IL-21, wherein its IL-21 activity is activatable or     increase by at least 200% at the site of a tumor or its surrounding     area, comprising:     -   a) An antibody, which binds to PD-L1, comprising two identical         light chains and a 1^(st) heavy chain and a 2^(nd) heavy chain;         wherein said heavy chains contain “knob-and-hole” mutations;     -   b) An IL-21 agonist polypeptide, wherein said IL-21 agonist         polypeptide is fused to the C-terminal of the 1^(st) heavy chain         of said antibody, optionally through a peptide linker with amino         acid sequence (GGGGS)_(n), wherein n=1, 2, 3, and 4 (SEQ ID NO:         97);     -   c) A masking moiety (MM), wherein said masking moiety comprises         one or two extracellular domains of the IL-21 receptor         extracellular domain; and;     -   d) a cleavable peptide linker which links the said masking         moiety (MM) to the C-terminal of the 2^(nd) heavy chain of said         antibody,     -    wherein said IL-21 agonist polypeptide comprises an amino acid         sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 1-5; and wherein said IL-21         receptor beta subunit extracellular domain has an amino acid         sequence as that of SEQ ID NO: 6. -   25. A prodrug of IL-21, wherein its IL-21 activity is activatable or     increase by at least 200% at the site of a tumor or its surrounding     area, comprising:     -   a) An antibody, which binds to CD47, comprising two identical         light chains and a 1^(st) heavy chain and a 2^(nd) heavy chain;         wherein said heavy chains contain “knob-and-hole” mutations;     -   b) An IL-21 agonist polypeptide, wherein said IL-21 agonist         polypeptide is fused to the C-terminal of the 1^(st) heavy chain         of said antibody, optionally through a peptide linker with amino         acid sequence (GGGGS)_(n), wherein n=1, 2, 3, and 4 (SEQ ID NO:         97);     -   c) A masking moiety (MM), wherein said masking moiety comprises         one or two extracellular domains of the IL-21 receptor         extracellular domain; and;     -   d) a cleavable peptide linker which links the said masking         moiety (MM) to the C-terminal of the 2^(nd) heavy chain of said         antibody,     -    wherein said IL-21 agonist polypeptide comprises an amino acid         sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 1-5; and wherein said IL-21         receptor beta subunit extracellular domain has an amino acid         sequence as that of SEQ ID NO: 6. -   26. Polynucleotides encoding the albumin fusion protein, the Fc     fusion protein, the light chain fusion protein, or the heavy chain     fusion protein of the prodrugs of embodiments 1-25. -   27. An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of embodiment     26. -   28. A host cell transfected with the vector of embodiment 27. -   29. A method of producing said prodrug of embodiments 1-25     comprising culturing the host cell of embodiment 28. -   30. A pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredient the     prodrug of embodiments 1-25. -   31. A method of treating breast, lung, pancreatic, esophageal,     medullary thyroid, ovarian, uterine, prostatic, testicular, colon,     rectal or stomach cancer or infectious disease comprising     administering to a human subject with breast, lung, pancreatic,     esophageal, medullary thyroid, ovarian, uterine, prostatic,     testicular, colon, rectal or stomach cancer, or an infectious     disease comprising administration of said pharmaceutical composition     of Embodiment 30. -   32. The method of embodiment 31, wherein the dosage administrated is     0.1-18 mg/kg. -   33. The method of embodiment 31, wherein the dosage is selected from     the group consisting of 0.1 mg/kg, 0.2 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2     mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 15     mg/kg. -   34. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the dosage is administered     to the human subject once or twice a week on a schedule with a cycle     selected from the group consisting of: (i) weekly; (ii) every other     week; (iii) one week of therapy followed by two, three or four weeks     off; (iv) two weeks of therapy followed by one, two, three or four     weeks off; (v) three weeks of therapy followed by one, two, three,     four or five weeks off; (vi) four weeks of therapy followed by one,     two, three, four or five weeks off; (vii) five weeks of therapy     followed by one, two, three, four or five weeks off; and (viii)     monthly.

In order that this invention may be better understood, the following examples are set forth. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Transient Transfection of the IL-21 Prodrugs Using HEK293 Cells

Expression plasmids were co-transfected into 3×10⁶ cell/ml freestyle HEK293 cells at 2.5-3 μg/ml using PEI (polyethylenimine). For Fc-based IL-21 prodrugs (A and B), the Fc-IL-21 fusion polypeptide and the Fc-masking moiety fusion polypeptide were in a 1:2 ratio. For antibody-based IL-21 prodrugs, the knob heavy chain (containing IL-21 agonist polypeptide) and hole heavy chain (containing the masking moiety) and the light chain DNA were in a 2:1:2 molar ratio. The cell cultures were harvested 6 days after transfection by centrifuging at 9,000 rpm for 45 min followed by 0.22 μM filtration.

Two IL-21 Prodrugs (A and B) were expressed. Prodrug A consists of two polypeptides having SEQ ID NOs: 94 and 38, respectively. Prodrug B consist of two polypeptides having SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 38, respectively. Their corresponding controls, the Fc-IL-21 fusion molecules without the masking moiety, were also expressed. The sequence ID NOs are listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Sequence Information of the samples. SEQ ID for Fc-Masking Prodrug or Control SEQ ID for Fc-IL-21 Moiety Fusion SEQ ID for the Fc Name Fusion Polypeptide Polypeptide Polypeptide IL-21 Prodrug A SEQ ID NO: 94 SEQ ID NO: 38 — Fc-IL-21 Control 1 SEQ ID NO: 94 — SEQ ID NO: 96 IL-21 Prodrug B SEQ ID NO: 95 SEQ ID NO: 38 — Fc-IL-21 Control 2 SEQ ID NO: 94 — SEQ ID NO: 96

Example 2 Purification of the Fc-Based IL-21 Prodrugs

The purifications of the proteins of the Fc-based IL-21 prodrugs A and B were carried out by using three chromatography steps: Protein A Affinity, Capto Adhere (Flow-through mode), and Capto SP ImpRes. Briefly, the supernatant of the transient expression cell culture was loaded onto a Protein A column, which was equilibrated with 25 mM Tris-HCl, 30 mM NaCl, pH 7.8 (buffer A) before applying the sample. The column was washed with 5-column volumes of buffer A and the bound protein was eluted with 50 mM acetic acid, pH 3.6. The pH of the eluted protein was adjusted to 5.2 using 1 M Tris-base and loaded onto a Capto Adhere column, which was equilibrated with 50 mM acetic acid, 30 mM NaCl, pH 5.2 (buffer B). The flow-through was collected and further loaded onto a buffer B equilibrated Capto SP ImpRes column. The column was washed with 5-column volumes of buffer B, and the bound protein was eluted with a 30-column volume gradient from 0% to 100% of 50 mM acetic acid, 1 M NaCl, pH 5.2 (buffer C). The eluted samples from each step were analyzed by HPLC-SEC. The fractions of the Capto SP ImpRes step with aggregation less than 10% were pooled for the further analyses.

Example 3 SEC-HPLC Analysis

SEC-HPLC was carried out using an Agilent 1100 Series of HPLC system with a TSKgel G3000SWXL column (7.8 mmIDX 30 cm, 5 μm particle size) ordered from Tosoh Bioscience. A sample of up to 100 μl was loaded. The column was run with a buffer containing 200 mM K₃PO₄, 250 mM KCl, pH 6.5. The flow rate was 0.5 ml/min. The column was run at room temperature. The protein elution was monitored both at 220 nm and 280 nm. The in-process pools of the IL-21 Prodrug A were analyzed by the SEC-HPLC. FIG. 5A shows the assay result for the Protein A column pool; FIG. 5B shows the assay result for the Capto Adhere column pool; and FIG. 5C shows the assay result for the Capto Sp ImpRes column pool. The data show that the Protein A column purified prodrug comprised a main peak with some aggregates (FIG. 5A). It had a main peak purity of about 80% as analyzed by SEC-HPLC. The aggregates were significantly reduced by the subsequent chromatography steps and the Capto SP Impres pool showed a product purity of over 98% as tested by SEC-HPLC (FIG. 5C).

Example 4 SDS-PAGE Analysis

10 μl of the culture supernatants or 10-20 μg of purified protein samples were mixed with Bolt™ LDS Sample Buffer (Novex) with or without reduce reagents. The samples were heated at 70° C. for 3 min and then loaded to a NuPAGE™ 4-12% BisTris Gel (Invitrogen). The gel was run in NuPAGE™ MOPS SDS Running buffer (Invitrogen) at 200 Volts for 40 min and then stained with Coomassie. The purified samples of Prodrugs A and B together with the ones treated with the protease MMP-2 (see below) were analyzed by the SDS-PAGE analysis, as shown in FIG. 6. The data show that the masking moieties of both Prodrug A and Prodrug B were completely removed by the protease digestion, and that the activated molecules migrated at the expected molecular weights.

Example 5 Proteolytic Treatment

The proteases, human MMP2, human MMP9, mouse MMP2 and mouse MMP9 were purchased from R&D systems. The protease digestion was carried out by incubating 10 μg-50 μg of prodrugs with 1 μg of human MMP2, human MMP9, mouse MMP2 or mouse MMP9 in the HBS buffer (20 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl₂, pH 7.4) containing 2 mM CaCl2 and 10 μM ZnCl₂ at 37° C. for 12 hours. The prodrugs prior to and after digestion were analyzed by SDS-PAGE (FIG. 6) and the cell-based activity assay (see below).

Example 6 Cell-Based Activity Assay

The prodrugs prior to and the protease digestion and the control samples were tested by the cell-based activity assay. Briefly, NK92 cells were grown in the RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with L-glutamine, 10% fetal bovine serum, 10% non-essential amino acids, 10% sodium pyruvate, and 55 μM beta-mercaptoethanol. NK92 cells were non-adherent and maintained at 1×10⁵ −1×10⁶ cells/ml in medium with 100 ng/ml of IL-2. Generally, cells were split twice per week. For bioassays, it was best to use cells no less than 48 hours after passage. IL-21 functional activity was determined by culturing NK92 cells at 5×10⁴ cells/well with serial dilutions of the samples in the presence of a constant amount of IL-2 for 2 days. Supernatants were then assayed for interferon-γ by ELISA. The results are shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The data show that the bioassay activities of the prodrugs were significantly enhanced by the protease MMP2 treatment.

The protease-treated (or activated) prodrugs showed similar activities as those of the control Fc-IL-21 fusion molecules, even though the masking moiety, i.e., IL-21Rα ECD, was not removed from the protease-treated sample. Surprisingly, the presence of the masking moiety released by the protease digestion did not seem to interfere with the IL-21 bioassay, given that IL-21 binds to IL-21Rα with very high affinity (a K_(D) of ˜70 pM).

Example 7 Anti-PD-1 Antibody-IL-21 Prodrug Fusion Molecule

An Anti-PD-1 antibody-based IL-21 prodrug was constructed with two identical light chains (with an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 50). A first heavy chain polypeptide chain (with an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 48) and a second heavy chain polypeptide chain (with an amino acid sequence as shown SEQ ID NO: 49). The molecule was expressed and purified. As a control, the anti-PD-1 antibody-IL-21 fusion molecule without the mask was also expressed and purified. The cell-based activity assays for the cytokine prodrug prior to and after activation were tested using the same method as described above. The data are shown in FIG. 8. The results show that the IL-21 activity prior to activation was minimal. After activation, the IL-21 activity was similar as that of the IL-21 in the PD-1-IL-21 fusion molecule.

The activity of the anti-PD-1 antibody was also tested prior to and after the activation using the PD1/PD-L1 blockade reporter assay. The ability of anti-PD-1 antibody to block PD-L1 mediated PD1 signaling was measured using two engineered cell lines. The first was a CHO-K1 cell line (CHO-K1/TCRA/PD-L1, BPS Bioscience cat #60536) expressing both human PD-L1 and a T cell receptor activator. The second cell line (PD1/NFAT, BPS Bioscience cat #60535) was a Jurkat T cell line expressing PD-1 and an NFAT firefly luciferase reporter. The T cell receptor activator on the CHO-K1 cells would activate the Jurkat cells resulting in expression of the NFAT luciferase reporter. However, since the CHO-K1 cells also express PD-L1, signaling via PD-1 would result in inhibition of NFAT activation. Blocking the PD-L1/PD-1 interaction would restore NFAT activation and luciferase activity.

To carry out the assay, CHO-K1/TCRA/PD-L1 cells were seeded in 96-well flat bottom plates at 35,000 cells/well in 50 μL assay medium (RPMI-1640, 10% fetal bovine serum, non-essential amino acids, 2-mercaptoethanol, and gentamicin) in 96-well white walled, flat bottom plates. After overnight culture, the culture medium was removed and samples and standards were added at 2× concentration in 50 μL/well. Plates were incubated 20 minutes, and 40,000 PD1/NFAT cells were added to each well in 50 μL. Plates were incubated 6 hours at 37° C. Plates were cooled to room temperature for 5 minutes, and 100 μL/well luciferase reagent (Pierce Firefly Luc One-Step Glow Assay Kit, Thermo Scientific cat #16197) was added. Plates were incubated for 15 minutes, then luminescence was measured on a luminometer.

The assay results (FIG. 9) indicate that the anti-PD-1 antibodies in the fusion molecules had retained their biological functionality.

Example 8 In Vivo Efficacy Study with a Syngeneic Tumor Model

Six-week old Balb/c mice (Taconic Biosciences) are injected subcutaneously with 1×10⁶ CT26/18.2 cells. After 7 days, tumors are measured using digital calipers and tumor volume was calculated (V=(ab2)p/6, where b is the shorter of 2 dimensions measured). Mice are then randomized into treatment groups such that all groups have approximately the same mean tumor size (˜100 mm³). Mice are then treated with placebo or test article at 0.5-5 mg/kg in 100 μl via intraperitoneal injection. Dosing was performed on days 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 18. Tumors are measured every 2-3 days, and mice are sacrificed when tumors reach 2000 mm³.

The above non-limiting examples are provided for illustrative purposes only in order to facilitate a more complete understanding of the disclosed subject matter. These examples should not be construed to limit any of the embodiments described in the present specification, including those pertaining to the antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions, or methods and uses for treating cancer, a neurodegenerative or an infectious disease.

SEQUENCES SEQ ID NO: 1 - human IL-21 QGQDRHMIRM RQLIDIVDQL KNYVNDLVPE FLPAPEDVET NCEWSAFSCF QKAQLKSANT GNNERIINVS IKKLKRKPPS TNAGRRQKHR LTCPSCDSYE KKPPKEFLER FKSLLQKMIH QHLSSRTHGS EDS SEQ ID NO: 2 - IL-21 Mutein A

GNNERIINVS IKKLKRKPPS TNAGRRQKHR LTCPSCDSYE KKPPKEFLER FKSLLQKMIH QHLSSRTHGS EDS SEQ ID NO: 3 - IL-21 Mutein B

GNNERIINVS IKKLKRKPPS TNAGRRQKHR LTCPSCDSYE KKPPKEFLER FKSLLQKMIH QHLSSRTHGS EDS SEQ ID NO: 4 - IL-21 Mutein C QGQDRHMIRM RQLIDIVDQL KNYVNDLVPE FLPAPEDVET NCEWSAFSCF QKAQLKSANT

QHLSSRTHGS EDS SEQ ID NO: 5 - IL-21 Mutein D

QHLSSRTHGS EDS SEQ ID NO: 6 - IL-21 receptor ECD (source: uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9HBE5) CPDLVCYTDY LQTVICILEM WNLHPSTLTL TWQDQYEELK DEATSCSLHR SAHNATHATY TCHMDVFHFM ADDIFSVNIT DQSGNYSQEC GSFLLAESIK PAPPFNVTVT FSGQYNISWR SDYEDPAFYM LKGKLQYELQ YRNRGDPWAV SPRRKLISVD SRSVSLLPLE FRKDSSYELQ VRAGPMPGSS YQGTWSEWSD PVIFQTQSEE LKE SEQ ID NO: 7 - Human IL-21 Rγ ECD LNTTILTPNG NEDTTADFFL TTMPTDSLSV STLPLPEVQC FVFNVEYMNC TWNSSSEPQP TNLTLHYWYK NSDNDKVQKC SHYLFSEEIT SGCQLQKKEI HLYQTFVVQL QDPREPRRQA TQMLKLQNLV IPWAPENLTL HKLSESQLEL NWNNRFLNHC LEHLVQYRTD WDHSWTEQSV DYRHKFSLPS VDGQKRYTFR VRSRFNPLCG SAQHWSEWSH PIHWGSNTSK ENPFLFALEA SEQ ID NO: 8 - Human IL-2 APTSSSTKKT QLQLEHLLLD LQMILNGINN YKNPKLTRML TFKFYMPKKA TELKHLQCLE EELKPLEEVL NLAQSKNFHL RPRDLISNIN VIVLELKGSE TTFMCEYADE TATIVEFLNR WITFCQSIIS TLT SEQ ID NO: 9 - Human IL-15 NWVNVISDLK KIEDLIQSMH IDATLYTESD VHPSCKVTAM KCFLLELQVI SLESGDASIH DTVENLIILA NNSLSSNGNV TESGCKECEE LEEKNIKEFL QSFVHIVQMF INT SEQ ID NO: 10 - Human IL-15 Rα sushi domain ITCPPPMSVE HADIWVKSYS LYSRERYICN SGFKRKAGTS SLTECVLNKA TNVAHWTTPS LKCIRDPALV HQRPA SEQ ID NO: 11-17 - MMP2/MMP9 Cleavable peptide linkers GPLGVR (SEQ ID NO: 11) PLGMWSR (SEQ ID NO: 12) PLGLWAR (SEQ ID NO: 13) PQGIAGQR (SEQ ID NO: 14) PLGLAG (SEQ ID NO: 15) LALGPR (SEQ ID NO: 16) GGPLGMLSQS (SEQ ID NO: 17) SEQ ID NO: 18-26 - urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) Cleavable peptide linkers GGGGRRGGS (SEQ ID NO: 18) TGRGPSWV (SEQ ID NO: 19) SARGPSRW (SEQ ID NO: 20) TARGPSFK (SEQ ID NO: 21) TARGPSW (SEQ ID NO: 22) GGWHTGRN (SEQ ID NO: 23) HTGRSGAL (SEQ ID NO: 24) PLTGRSGG (SEQ ID NO: 25) LTGRSGA (SEQ ID NO: 26) SEQ ID NO: 27 - Human CCL19 TNDAEDCCLS VTQKPIPGYI VRNFHYLLIK DGCRVPAVVF TTLRGRQLCA PPDQPWVERI IQRLQRTSAK MKRRSS SEQ ID NO: 28 - Human IL-7 DCDIEGKDGK QYESVLMVSI DQLLDSMKEI GSNCLNNEFN FFKRHICDAN KEGMFLFRAA RKLRQFLKMN STGDFDLHLL KVSEGTTILL NCTGQVKGRK PAALGEAQPT KSLEENKSLK EQKKLNDLCF LKRLLQEIKT CWNKILMGTK EH SEQ ID NO: 29-33 Peptide Linker GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 29) GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 30) GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 31) GGGGSGGGGXGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 32), X = A or N GGGGSGGGGXGGGGYGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 33), X = S, A or N, and Y = A or N SEQ ID NO: 34 - IgG1 Fc DKTHTCPPCP APELLGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 35 - IgG4 Fc AESKYGPPCP PCPAPEAAGG PSVFLFPPKP KDTLMISRTP EVTCVVVDVS QEDPEVQFNW YVDGVEVHNA KTKPREEQFN STYRVVSVLT VLHQDWLNGK EYKCKVSNKG LPSSIEKTIS KAKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSQEE MTKNQVSLTC LVKGFYPSDI AVEWESNGQP ENNYKTTPPV LDSDGSFFLY SRLTVDKSRW QEGNVFSCSV MHEALHNHYT QKSLSLSLGK SEQ ID NO: 36 - Fc with knobs mutations - IL-21 DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGA(GGGGS)_(n)QGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDQLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAPEDVETNCEWSA FSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEFLERFKSLLQ KMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS; wherein n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 37 - Fc with knobs mutations - IL-21 mutein DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGA(GGGGS)_(n)QGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDKLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAPEDVETNCEWSA FSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEFLRRFKSLLQ KMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS; wherein n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 38 - Fc with holes mutations - IL-21 Receptor ECD DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTK NQVSLSCAVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLVSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGAGGGGSGGGGSGPLGVRGGGGSCPDLVCYTDYLQTVICILEMWNLHPSTLTLTW QDQYEELKDEATSCSLHRSAHNATHATYTCHMDVFHFMADDIFSVNITDQSGNYSQECGSFLLAESIKPA PPFNVTVTFSGQYNISWRSDYEDPAFYMLKGKLQYELQYRNRGDPWAVSPRRKLISVDSRSVSLLPLEFR KDSSYELQVRAGPMPGSSYQGTWSEWSDPVIFQTQSEELKE SEQ ID NO: 39 - IL-21 - Fc with knobs mutations QGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDQLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAPEDVETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVS IKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEFLERFKSLLQKMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS(GGGGS)_(n) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK; wherein n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 40 - IL-2 mutein - Fc with knobs mutations QGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDKLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAPEDVETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVS IKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEFLRRFKSLLQKMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS(GGGGS)_(n) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK; wherein n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 41 - IL-21Rα ECD - Fc with holes mutations CPDLVCYTDY LQTVICILEM WNLHPSTLTL TWQDQYEELK DEATSCSLHR SAHNATHATY TCHMDVFHFM ADDIFSVNIT DQSGNYSQEC GSFLLAESIK PAPPFNVTVT FSGQYNISWR SDYEDPAFYM LKGKLQYELQ YRNRGDPWAV SPRRKLISVD SRSVSLLPLE FRKDSSYELQ VRAGPMPGSS YQGTWSEWSD PVIFQTQSEE LKEGGGGSGG GGSGPLGVRG GGGSDKTHTC PPCPAPELLG GPSVFLFPPK PKDTLMISRT PEVTCVVVDV SHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQY NSTYRVVSVL TVLHQDWLNG KEYKCKVSNK ALPAPIEKTI SKAKGQPREP QVCTLPPSRD ELTKNQVSLS CAVKGFYPSD IAVEWESNGQ PENNYKTTPP VLDSDGSFFL VSKLTVDKSR WQQGNVFSCS VMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPG K SEQ ID NO: 42 - IL-15-Sushi - Fc with knobs mutations - IL-21 NWVNVISDLKKIEDLIQSMHIDATLYTESDVHPSCKVTAMKCFLLELQVISLESGDASIHDTVENLIILA NNSLSSNGNVTESGCKECEELEEKNIKEFLQSFVHIVQMFINT (GGGGS)_(n1) ITCPPPMSVEHADIWVKSYSLYSRERYICNSGFKRKAGTSSLTECVLNKATNVAHWTTPSLKCIRDPALV HQRPA(GGGGS)_(n2)DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNW YVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQ VYTLPPCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRW QQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGA(GGGGS)_(n3)QGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDQLKNYVNDLVPEFL PAPEDVETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKK PPKEFLERFKSLLQKMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS; wherein n1 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; n2 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; and n3 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 43 - IL-2 analog - Fc with knobs mutations - IL-21 mutein APASSSTKKTQLQLEHLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTSMLTKKFAMPKKATELKHLQCLEEALKPLEEVL NLTQSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNRWITFSQSIISTLT (GGGGS)_(n1)DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGV EVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLP PCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNV FSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGA(GGGGS)_(n2)QGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDKLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAPED VETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEF LRRFKSLLQKMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS; wherein n1 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; and n2 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 44 - IL-2Rβ ECD - Fc with holes mutations - IL-21Rα ECD AVNGTSQFTCFYNSRANISCVWSQDGALQDTSCQVHAWPDRRRWNQTCELLPVSQASWACNLILGAPDSQ KLTTVDIVTLRVLCREGVRWRVMAIQDFKPFENLRLMAPISLQVVHVETHRCNISWEISQASHYFERHLE FEARTLSPGHTWEEAPLLTLKQKQEWICLETLTPDTQYEFQVRVKPLQGEFTTWSPWSQPLAFRTKPAAL GKDTGGGGSGGGGSGPLGVRGGGGSDKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVD VSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKT ISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLSCAVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFF LVSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGAGGGGSGGGGSGPLGVRGGGGSCPDLVCY TDY LQTVICILEM WNLHPSTLTL TWQDQYEELK DEATSCSLHR SAHNATHATY TCHMDVFHFM ADDIFSVNIT DQSGNYSQEC GSFLLAESIK PAPPFNVTVT FSGQYNISWR SDYEDPAFYM LKGKLQYELQ YRNRGDPWAV SPRRKLISVD SRSVSLLPLE FRKDSSYELQ VRAGPMPGSS YQGTWSEWSD PVIFQTQSEE LKE SEQ ID NO: 45 - IL-21 - Fc with knobs mutations - Sushi-IL-15 QGQDRHMIRM RQLIDIVDQL KNYVNDLVPE FLPAPEDVET NCEWSAFSCF QKAQLKSANT GNNERIINVS IKKLKRKPPS TNAGRRQKHR LTCPSCDSYE KKPPKEFLER FKSLLQKMIH QHLSSRTHGSEDS(GGGGS)_(n)DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGA(GGGGS)_(n2 )ITCPPPMSVE HADIWVKSYS LYSRERYICNSGFKRKAGTSSLTECVLNKATNVAHWTTPSLKCIRDPALVHQRPA(GGGGS)_(n3)NWVNVIS DLKKIEDLIQSMHIDATLYTESDVHPSCKVTAMKCFLLELQVISLESGDASIHDTVENLIILANNSLSSN GNVTESGCKECEELEEKNIKEFLQSFVHIVQMFINT; wherein n1 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; n2 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; and n3 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 46 - IL-21 mutein - Fc with knobs mutations - IL-2 analog QGQDRHMIRM RQLIDIVDKL KNYVNDLVPE FLPAPEDVET NCEWSAFSCF QKAQLKSANT GNNERIINVS IKKLKRKPPS TNAGRRQKHR LTCPSCDSYE KKPPKEFLRR FKSLLQKMIH QHLSSRTHGSEDS(GGGGS)_(n1)DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHE DPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKA KGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSK LTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGA(GGGGS)_(n2)APASSSTKKTQLQLEHLLLDLQMI LNGINNYKNPKLTSMLTKKFAMPKKATELKHLQCLEEALKPLEEVLNLTQSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVL ELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNRWITFSQSIISTLT; wherein n1 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; and n2 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. SEQ ID NO: 47 - IL-21Rα ECD - Fc with holes mutations - IL-2Rβ ECD CPDLVCYTDY LQTVICILEM WNLHPSTLTL TWQDQYEELK DEATSCSLHR SAHNATHATY TCHMDVFHFM ADDIFSVNIT DQSGNYSQEC GSFLLAESIK PAPPFNVTVT FSGQYNISWR SDYEDPAFYM LKGKLQYELQ YRNRGDPWAV SPRRKLISVD SRSVSLLPLE FRKDSSYELQ VRAGPMPGSSYQGTWSEWSDPVIFQTQSEELKEGGGGSGGGGSGPLGVRGGGGSDKTHTCPPCPAPELLG GPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVL TVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLSCAVKGFYPSD IAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLVSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG AGGGGSGGGGSGPLGVRGGGGSAVNGTSQFTCFYNSRANISCVWSQDGALQDTSCQVHAWPDRRRWNQTC ELLPVSQASWACNLILGAPDSQKLTTVDIVTLRVLCREGVRWRVMAIQDFKPFENLRLMAPISLQVVHVE THRCNISWEISQASHYFERHLEFEARTLSPGHTWEEAPLLTLKQKQEWICLETLTPDTQYEFQVRVKPLQ GEFTTWSPWSQPLAFRTKPAALGKDT SEQ ID NO: 48 - PD1-HC with knob mutations - IL-21 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLDCKASGITFSNSGMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVAVIWYDGSKRYYADSVKGRFTI SRDNSKNTLFLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCATNDDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKR VESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNA KTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCQEE MTKNQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSV MHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGAGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSQGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDQLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAP EDVETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPK EFLERFKSLLQKMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS SEQ ID NO: 49 - PD1-HC with hole mutations - IL-21Rα ECD QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLDCKASGITFSNSGMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVAVIWYDGSKRYYADSVKGRFTI SRDNSKNTLFLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCATNDDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKR VESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNA KTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSQEE MTKNQVSLSCAVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLVSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSV MHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGAGGGGSGGGGSGPLGVRGGGGSCPDLVCYTDYLQTVICILEMWNLHPSTLT LTWQDQYEELKDEATSCSLHRSAHNATHATYTCHMDVFHFMADDIFSVNITDQSGNYSQECGSFLLAESI KPAPPFNVTVTFSGQYNISWRSDYEDPAFYMLKGKLQYELQYRNRGDPWAVSPRRKLISVDSRSVSLLPL EFRKDSSYELQVRAGPMPGSSYQGTWSEWSDPVIFQTQSEELKE SEQ ID NO: 50 - PD1-LC EIVLTQSPATLSLSPGERATLSCRASQSVSSYLAWYQQKPGQAPRLLIYDASNRATGIPARFSGSGSGTD FTLTISSLEPEDFAVYYCQQSSNWPRTFGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFY PREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFN RGEC SEQ ID NO: 51 - PD1-LC - IL-2 basal EIVLTQSPATLSLSPGERATLSCRASQSVSSYLAWYQQKPGQAPRLLIYDASNRATGIPARFSGSGSGTD FTLTISSLEPEDFAVYYCQQSSNWPRTFGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFY PREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFN RGECGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSAPASSSTKKTQLQLEHLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTSMLTAKFAMPKKAT ELKHLQCLEEALKPLEEVLNLAQSKNFHLRPRDLISX_(aa88)INVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLN RWITFSX_(aa126)SIISTLT; wherein X_(aa88 )is amino acid selected from N and A, and X_(aa126 )is an amino acid selected from Q, H, W or A. SEQ ID NO: 52 - trastuzumab light chain DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQDVNTAVAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYSASFLYSGVPSRFSGSRSGTD FTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQHYTTPPTFGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFY PREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFN RGEC SEQ ID NO: 53 - trastuzumab heavy chain EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFNIKDTYIHWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIYPTNGYTRYADSVKGRFTI SADTSKNTAYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCSRWGGDGFYAMDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSG GTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPS NTKVDKKVEPPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSR WQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 54 - rituximab light chain QIVLSQSPAILSASPGEKVTMTCRASSSVSYIHWFQQKPGSSPKPWIYATSNLASGVPVRFSGSGSGTSY SLTISRVEAEDAATYYCQQWTSNPPTFGGGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYP REAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNR GEC SEQ ID NO: 55 - rituximab heavy chain QVQLQQPGAELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTSYNMHWVKQTPGRGLEWIGAIYPGNGDTSYNQKFKGKATL TADKSSSTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYYCARSTYYGGDWYFNVWGAGTTVTVSAASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTS GGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKP SNTKVDKKAEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSR WQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 56 - brentuximab light chain DIVLTQSPASLAVSLGQRATISCKASQSVDFDGDSYMNWYQQKPGQPPKVLIYAASNLESGIPARFSGSG SGTDFTLNIHPVEEEDAATYYCQQSNEDPWTFGGGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLL NNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVT KSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO: 57 - brentuximab heavy chain QIQLQQSGPEVVKPGASVKISCKASGYTFTDYYITWVKQKPGQGLEWIGWIYPGSGMTKYNEKFKGKATL TVDTSSSTAFMQLSSLTSEDTAVYFCANYGNYWFAYWGQGTQVTVSAASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTA ALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTK VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYT LPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG SEQ ID NO: 58 - cetuximab light chain DILLTQSPVILSVSPGERVSFSCRASQSIGTNIHWYQQRTNGSPRLLIKYASESISGIPSRFSGSGSGTD FTLSINSVESEDIADYYCQQNNNWPTTFGAGTKLELKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFY PREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFN RGEC SEQ ID NO: 59 - cetuximab heavy chain QVQLKQSGPGLVQPSQSLSITCTVSGFSLTNYGVHWVRQSPGKGLEWLGVIWSGGNTDYNTPFTSRLSIN KDNSKSQVFFKMNSLQSNDTAIYYCARALTYYDYEFAYWGQGTLVTVSAASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGG TAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSN TKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY VDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQV YTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQ QGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 60 - panitumumab light chain DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQASQDISNYLNWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYDASNLETGVPSRFSGSGSGTD FTFTISSLQPEDIATYFCQHFDHLPLAFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFY PREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFN RGEC SEQ ID NO: 61 - panitumumab heavy chain GHIYYSGNTNYNPSLKSRLTISIDTSKTQFSLKLSSVTAADTAIYYCVRDRVTGAFDIWGQGTMVTVSSA STKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTV PSSNFGTQTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDERKCCVECPAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPE VQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQ PREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTV DKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 62 - anti-c-MET antibody light chain DIVMTQAAPSVPVTPGESVSISCRSSKSLLHSNGNTYLYWFLQRPGQSPQVLIYRMSNLASGVPDRFSGS GSGTAFTLRIRRVEAEDVGVYYCMQNLEYPFTFGGGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCL LNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPV TKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO: 63 - anti-c-MET antibody heavy chain QVQLQQSGPELVKSGASVKMSCKASGNTLKDDHVHWVKQRPGQGLEWIGWIYPGGGRTRYNEKFKGKTTL TADKPSSTVNMLLSSLTSEDSAIYFCTNLVFDVWGAGTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALG CLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDK KVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVE VHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPP SREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVF SCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 64 - anti-GPC3 antibody light chain DVVMTQSPLSLPVTPGEPASISCRSSQSLVHSNANTYLHWYLQKPGQSPQLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGS GSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCSQNTHVPPTFGQGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCL LNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPV TKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO: 65 - anti-GPC3 antibody heavy chain QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTDYEMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGALDPKTGDTAYSQKFKGRVTL TADKSTSTAYMELSSLTSEDTAVYYCTRFYSYTYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAAL GCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVD KKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGV EVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLP PSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNV FSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 66 - anti-Claudin 18.2 antibody light chain DIVMTQSPSSLTVTAGEKVTMSCKSSQSLLNSGNQKNYLTWYQQKPGQPPKLLIYWASTRESGVPDRFTG SGSGTDFTLTISSVQAEDLAVYYCQNDYSYPFTFGSGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVC LLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSP VTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO: 67 - anti-Claudin 18.2 antibody heavy chain QVQLQQPGAELVRPGASVKLSCKASGYTFTSYWINWVKQRPGQGLEWIGNIYPSDSYTNYNQKFKDKATL TVDKSSSTAYMQLSSPTSEDSAVYYCTRSWRGNSFDYWGQGTTLTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGT AALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNT KVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYV DGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVY TLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQ GNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 68 - anti-Trop-2 antibody light chain CDR1 KASQDVSIAVA SEQ ID NO: 69 - anti-Trop-2 antibody light chain CDR2 SASYRYT SEQ ID NO: 70 - anti-Trop-2 antibody light chain CDR3 QQHYITPLT SEQ ID NO: 71 - anti-Trop-2 antibody heavy chain CDR1 NYGMN SEQ ID NO: 72 - anti-Trop-2 antibody heavy chain CDR2 WINTYTGEPTYTDDFKG SEQ ID NO: 73 - anti-Trop-2 antibody heavy chain CDR3 GGFGSSYWYFDV SEQ ID NO: 74 - anti-mesothelin antibody light chain CDR1 SASSSVSYMH SEQ ID NO: 75 - anti-mesothelin antibody light chain CDR2 DTSKLAS SEQ ID NO: 76 - anti-mesothelin antibody light chain CDR3 QQWSGYPLT SEQ ID NO: 77 - anti-mesothelin antibody heavy chain CDR1 GYTMN SEQ ID NO: 78 - anti-mesothelin antibody heavy chain CDR2 LITPYNGASSYNQKFRG SEQ ID NO: 79 - anti-mesothelin antibody heavy chain CDR3 GGYDGRGFDY SEQ ID NO: 80 - Anti-FAP version 1 LC

TLTISSLEPEDFAVYYCQQWSFNPPTFGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYP REAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNR GEC SEQ ID NO: 81 -Anti-FAP LC version 2 QIVLTQSPATLSLSPGERATLSCSASSGVNFMHWYQQKPGQAPKRLIFDTSKLASGVPARFSGSGSGTDY TLTISSLEPEDFAVYYCQQWSFNPPTFGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYP REAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNR GEC SEQ ID NO: 82 - Anti-FAP VH QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTNNGINWLRQAPGQGLEWMGEIYPRSTNTLYAQKFQGRVTI TADRSSNTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYFCARTLTAPFAFWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTA ALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTK VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYT LPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 83 - Humanized Light Chain variable domain of FAPalpha antibody BIBH1 DIVMTQSPDS LAVSLGERAT INCKSSQSLL YSRNQKNYLA WYQQKPGQPP KLLIFWASTR ESGVPDRFSG SGFGTDFTLT ISSLQAEDVA VYYCQQYFSY PLTFGQGTKV EIK SEQ ID NO: 84 - Humanized Heavy Chain variable domain FAPalpha antibody BIBH1 QVQLVQSGAE VKKPGASVK VSCKTSRYTFT EYTIHWVRQA PGQRLEWIGG INPNNGIPNY NQKFKGRVTI TVDTSASTAY MELSSLRSED TAVYYCARRR IAYGYDEGHA MDYWGQGTLV TVSS SEQ ID NO: 85 - Humanized H8 anti-5T4 version 1 VH QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYSFTGYYMHWVKQSPGQGLEWIGRINPNNGV TLYNQKFKDRVTMTRDTSISTAYMELSRLRSDDTAVYYCARSTMITNYVMDYWGQGT LWTVSS SEQ ID NO: 86 - Humanized H8 anti-5T4 VH version 2 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYSFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGRINPNNGVTLYNQKFKDRVTM TRDTSISTAYMELSRLRSDDTAVYYCARSTMITNYVMDYWGQGTLVTVSS SEQ ID NO:87 - Humanized H8 anti-5T4 version 1 VL DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINCKASQSVSNDVAWYQQKPGQSPKLLISYTSSRYAG VPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDVAVYFCQQDYNSPPTFGGGTKLEIK SEQ ID NO: 88 - Humanized H8 anti-5T4 VL version 2 DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINCKASQSVSNDVAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIYYTSSRYAG VPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDVAVYYCQQDYNSPPTFGGGTKLEIK SEQ ID NO: 89 - Anti-PDL1 atezolizumab LC DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQDVSTAVAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYSASFLYSGVPS RFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQYLYHPATFGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPP SDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHK VYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO: 90 - Anti-PDL1 atezolizumab HC EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSDSWIHWVRQAPGKGLEWVAWISPYGGSTYYADSVKGRFTI SADTSKNTAYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARRHWPGGFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGT AALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNT KVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYV DGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVY TLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQ GNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 91 - Anti-PD-1 Nivolumab HC QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLDCKASGITFSNSGMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVAVIWYDGSKRYYADSVKGRFTI SRDNSKNTLFLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCATNDDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKR VESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNA KTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEE MTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSV MHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK SEQ ID NO: 92 - Anti-PD-1 Pembrolizumab LC EIVLTQSPATLSLSPGERATLSCRASKGVSTSGYSYLHWYQQKPGQAPRLLIYLASYLESGVPARFSGSG SGTDFTLTISSLEPEDFAVYYCQHSRDLPLTFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLL NNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVT KSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO: 93 - Anti-PD-1 Pembrolizumab HC QVQLVQSGVEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTNYYMYWVRQAPGQGLEWMGGINPSNGGTNFNEKFKNRVTL TTDSSTTTAYMELKSLQFDDTAVYYCARRDYRFDMGFDYWGQGTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSE STAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDHKPS NTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYT LPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK SEQ ID NO: 94 - Fc with knobs mutations - IL-21 DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGAGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSQGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVDQLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAPEDV ETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEFL ERFKSLLQKMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS SEQ ID NO: 95 - Fc with knob mutations - IL-21 mutein Q19K/E109R DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKERWQQGNVFSCSVMHE

ETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNERIINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEFL

SEQ ID NO: 96 - IgG1 Fc with holes mutations DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTK NQVSLSCAVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGEFFLVSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO: 97 - Peptide linker (GGGGS)_(n), wherein n = 1, 2, 3, and 4 

1. A prodrug comprising a human IL-21 agonist polypeptide, a masking moiety, and a carrier moiety, wherein the masking moiety binds to the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide and inhibits a biological activity of the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide, the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide is fused to the carrier moiety, and the masking moiety is fused to the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide or to the carrier moiety through a cleavable peptide linker.
 2. The prodrug of claim 1, wherein the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 1. 3. The prodrug of claim 2, wherein the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide comprises one or more mutations at positions selected from D18, Q19, E109, and K117 (numbering according to SEQ ID NO: 1).
 4. The prodrug of claim 1, wherein the IL-21 agonist polypeptide has an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 4, and
 5. 5. The prodrug of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the masking moiety comprises an extracellular domain (ECD) of a human IL-21 receptor or a functional analog thereof.
 6. The prodrug of claims 5, wherein the IL-21 receptor is IL-21Rα or IL-21Rγ.
 7. The prodrug of claim 6, wherein the IL-21 receptor ECD comprises SEQ ID NO: 6 or 7, or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 6 or
 7. 8. The prodrug of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a second cytokine moiety.
 9. The prodrug of claim 8, wherein the second cytokine moiety is (i) a human IL-2 agonist polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 8 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8, (ii) a human IL-7 agonist polypeptide, (iii) a human IL-9 agonist polypeptide, (iv) a human IL-15 agonist polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 9 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 9, (v) a human IL-15 agonist polypeptide and a human IL-15 receptor alpha sushi domain, or (vi) a human CCL19 polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 27 or an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 27. 10. The prodrug of claim 8 or 9, further comprising a second masking moiety that binds to the second cytokine moiety and inhibits a biological activity of the second cytokine moiety, wherein the second masking moiety is fused to the second cytokine moiety or to the carrier moiety through a cleavable peptide linker.
 11. The prodrug of claim 10, wherein the second masking moiety is selected from an ECD of IL-2 receptor beta subunit or a functional analog thereof, an ECD of an IL-7 receptor or a functional analog thereof, and an ECD of an IL-9 receptor or a functional analog thereof.
 12. The prodrug of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide and/or the second cytokine moiety is fused to the carrier moiety through a noncleavable peptide linker.
 13. The prodrug of claim 12, wherein the noncleavable peptide linker comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 29-33.
 14. The prodrug of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleavable peptide linker comprises a substrate sequence of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 2, or MMP9.
 15. The prodrug of claim 14, wherein the cleavable peptide linker comprises substrate sequences of (i) both uPA and MMP2, (ii) both uPA and MMP9, or (iii) uPA, MMP2 and MMP9.
 16. The prodrug of claim 14, wherein the cleavable peptide linker comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 11-26.
 17. The prodrug of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleavable peptide linker is cleavable by one or more proteases located at a tumor site or its surrounding environment, and the cleavage leads to activation of the prodrug at the tumor site or surrounding environment.
 18. The prodrug of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier moiety is a PEG molecule, an albumin, an albumin fragment, an antibody Fc domain, or an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof.
 19. The prodrug of claim 18, wherein the carrier moiety is an antibody Fc domain or an antibody that comprises L234A and L235A (“LALA”) mutations (EU numbering).
 20. The prodrug of claim 18 or 19, wherein the carrier moiety is an antibody Fc domain or an antibody comprising knobs-into-holes mutations, and wherein the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its masking moiety are fused to different polypeptide chains of the antibody Fc domain or to the different heavy chains of the antibody, and optionally the second cytokine moiety and the second masking moiety also are fused to different polypeptide chains of the antibody Fc domain or to the different heavy chains of the antibody.
 21. The prodrug of claim 20, wherein the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its masking moiety are fused to the C-termini of the two different polypeptide chains of the Fc domain or to the C-termini of the two different heavy chains of the antibody.
 22. The prodrug of claim 20, wherein the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its masking moiety are fused to the N-termini of the two different polypeptide chains of the Fc domain or to the N-termini of the two different heavy chains of the antibody.
 23. The prodrug of claims 21 and 22, wherein the second cytokine moiety and the second masking moiety are fused to the opposite termini of the two different polypeptide chains of the Fc domain, or to the opposite termini of the two different heavy chains of the antibody, from the human IL-21 agonist polypeptide and its masking moiety.
 24. The prodrug of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the knobs-into-holes mutations comprise a T366Y “knob” mutation on a polypeptide chain of the Fc domain or a heavy chain of the antibody, and a Y407T “hole” mutation in the other polypeptide of the Fc domain or the other heavy chain of the antibody (EU numbering).
 25. The prodrug of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the knobs-into-holes mutations comprise Y349C and/or T366W mutations in the CH3 domain of the “knob chain” and E356C, T366S, L368A, and/or Y407V mutations in the CH3 domain of the “hole chain” (EU numbering).
 26. The prodrug of any one of claims 18-25, wherein the carrier moiety is an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to one or more antigens selected from Guanyl cyclase C (GCC), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), glycoprotein A33 (gpA33), mucin 1 (MUC1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), delta-like protein 3 (DLL3), delta-like protein 4 (DLL4), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), glypican-3 (GPC3), c-MET, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), Nectin-4, Liv-1, glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB), prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), Trop-2, carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), endothelin B receptor (ETBR), six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1), folate receptor alpha (FR-α), SLIT and NTRK-like protein 6 (SLITRK6), carbonic anhydrase VI (CA6), ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 3 (ENPP3), mesothelin, trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG), CD19, CD20, CD22, CD33, CD40, CD56, CD66e, CD70, CD74, CD79b, CD98, CD123, CD138, CD352, CD47, signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), PD1, Claudin 18.2, Claudin 6, 5T4, BCMA, PD-L1, PD-1, Fibroblast Activation Protein alpha (FAPalpha), the Melanoma-associated Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan (MCSP), and EPCAM.
 27. The prodrug of claim 20, wherein said prodrug comprises two polypeptide chains whose amino acid sequences respectively comprise SEQ ID NOs: 36 and 38, SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 41, SEQ ID NOs: 40 and 41, SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 44, SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, SEQ ID NOs: 45 and 47, or SEQ ID NOs: 46 and
 47. 28. The prodrug of claim 18, comprising two heavy chain polypeptides whose amino acid sequences comprise SEQ ID NOs: 48 and 49, respectively; and a light chain comprises SEQ ID NO: 50 or
 51. 29. The prodrug of claim 18, wherein the carrier moiety is an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds to FAPα or 5T4; and optionally the prodrug further comprises two or three ectodomains of a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family member or 4-1BB ligand, or fragments thereof.
 30. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the prodrug of any one of claims 1-29 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 31. A polynucleotide or polynucleotides encoding the prodrug of any one of claims 1-29.
 32. An expression vector or vectors comprising the polynucleotide or polynucleotides of claim
 31. 33. A host cell comprising the vector(s) of claim
 32. 34. The host cell of claim 33, wherein the gene(s) encoding uPA, MMP2, and/or MMP9 are knocked out in the host cell.
 35. A method of making the prodrug of any one of claims 1-29, comprising culturing the host cell of claim 33 or 34 under conditions that allow expression of the prodrug, wherein the host cell is a mammalian cell, and isolating the prodrug.
 36. A method of treating a cancer or an infectious disease, or stimulating the immune system, in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 30. 37. A prodrug of any one of claims 1-29 for use in treating a cancer or an infectious disease, or stimulating the immune system, in a patient in need thereof.
 38. Use of a prodrug of any one of claims 1-29 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a cancer or an infectious disease, or stimulating the immune system, in a patient in need thereof.
 39. The method of claim 36, the prodrug for use of claim 37, or the use of claim 38, wherein the patient has HIV, HBV, HCV, or HPV infection; or a cancer selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, colorectal cancer, and stomach cancer. 